Last Updated on 07.08.2023
Weed hangover is not a recognized medical condition. Still, it’s a sensation that cannabis users feel after experiencing the residual effects of using ‘too much’ marijuana that the body and mental health can handle. As you enjoy the psychoactive effects of weed, there comes the lingering after-effect.
Cannabis connoisseurs have relied on the effects of medicinal marijuana for recreational purposes and even medicinal marvels. However, a shadowy aftermath may also leave the user’s body feeling a little peculiar. Once the hangover happens – do you know how to ease its effects? How long do weed effects last? Let’s delve deeper into this unspoken sensation caused by taking weed too much.
What Is Weed Hangover?
A weed hangover is the lingering after-effect of consuming or smoking too many marijuana substances. What’s a hangover feel like? It can make you feel lethargic, have a foggy mind, mild nausea, and dry eyes. Here are some more of the signs of cannabis hangover:
- Dry Mouth and Thirst – Dehydration may also occur, leading to a dry mouth and increased feeling of thirst.
- Mood Changes – Overdosing can make some individuals irritable, anxious, or more emotionally sensitive.
- Sleep Disturbances – Cannabis can interfere with the REM cycle, which can cause insomnia and vivid dreams.
Think of it like the hangover you get from drinking too much alcohol. It can have adverse effects on your body. However, weed hangover signs are more tolerable. Still, you need to avoid these effects to prevent any problems.
Understanding The Effects Of Marijuana On The Body
Marijuana may impact both the mind and body of a cannabis user. However, weed products only use the flower of marijuana. Consuming may affect the body – including breathing, memory, judgment, eye, blood circulation, and even the immune system.
Depending on the method you use to ingest the cannabis, it may have different effects on your body, and the length of its effects would stay. For example, smoking weed or inhaling it provides almost instant effects. It enters the bloodstream through the lungs, which is a quicker way to access your brain and other organs.
The user may feel the effects within minutes, but it would only last for an hour or 2 – depending on the substance content. Edibles, on the other hand, may take an hour to take effect, and their psychoactive sensation may last for up to 6 hours since it also involves metabolism.
However, one common misconception surrounding weed hangovers is that it’s mainly a result of THC intoxication. It’s because some cannabis products have other ingredients like terpenes, which may contribute to these after-effects.
How Long Do Weed Hangovers Last?
Once you have experienced it, how long do weed hangovers last? The time of its effects depends on some factors like:
- Metabolism
- Exercise routine
- Body fat percentage
- Frequency of marijuana use
- THC strains
Since each user is different, there’s no standard detection time. But the estimate is that it can stick anywhere from 2 days up to several months in the urine, saliva, hair, and blood.
- Urine – Cannabinoid metabolites may stay in the urine longer (up to 4 weeks) even after using it.
- Blood – THC remnants may stay up to 7 days in the blood, or even longer for those who use marijuana more frequently.
- Hair – Weed may stay in the user’s hair for up to 3 months.
- Saliva – Cannabis may remain in the saliva for 24 hours to 30 days, depending on the frequency of use.
Weed Hangover Vs. Alcohol Hangover
What does a hangover feel like? Let’s take a look at the different effects of weed vs. alcohol hangovers.
| Weed Hangover | Alcohol Hangover | |
| Duration | 8 to 24 hours | Vary greatly |
| Hangover Symptoms | Nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound | More cognitive effects like brain fog and impaired focus. |
| Long-term | Can be more severe and disruptive to daily life | Tolerable and manageable |
Weed Effects Duration
How long do you stay high after smoking weed? As mentioned, the effects of the weed may stay in the body from 15 minutes up to 4 or 6 hours. It depends on the method you use to consume the THC products.
For example, smoking cannabis has the strongest effect for 10 minutes to 30 minutes. However, you may feel stoned with longer and heavier use. On the other hand, eating cannabis edibles may last 2 to 6 hours. The user’s metabolism influences this effect a lot.
Still, individual experiences may vary depending on factors such as tolerance, strain potency, and the amount consumed. Let’s take a quick look at the table below to know more about hangover effects:
| Consumption Method | Onset Time | Peak Effects | Duration |
| Smoking | 15 minutes to an hour | 30 minutes to 1 hour | 2 to 3 hours |
| Edibles | 45 minutes to 2 hours | 2 to 3 hours | 4 to 8 hours |
| Vaporizing | Within minutes | 30 minutes to 1 hour | 2 to 3 hours |
| Tinctures | 15 to 45 minutes | 1 to 2 hours | 4 to 6 hours |
| Topicals | Varies | Varies | Up to 4 hours |
Understanding Greening Out
Have you been wondering what is greening out? It is when you feel sick, anxious, or nauseous after you consume or smoke too much potent cannabis product. It’s similar to having a ‘blackout’ when you drink too much alcohol and can’t remember some things before intoxication.
Consuming too much weed is the main culprit behind greening out. Specific receptors in the brain respond to THC and other cannabinoids. So when you consume too much, the receptors work overload ad leads to feeling sick. Hence, starting at a low potency is crucial until you find that perfect spot your body can handle.
In addition, cannabis products with high THC content can make you green out. For example, concentrates like waxes, shatters, and crumbles have a higher THC than dried leaves. So, always read the label and the proper dosage.
More importantly, never mix alcohol with weed. If you do so, there’s a higher tendency that the body will absorb the THC faster, resulting in a stronger and quicker high. However, can smoking too much weed make you sick? The user can get sick, but it is not fatal in most cases. Some people can fix the symptoms in an emergency room or at home.
Weed Hangover Vs. Greening Out
How would you know if it’s a weed hangover or you’re already greening out? While almost similar, these are the symptoms of a hangover from weed:
- Fatigue
- Brain Fog
- Dry Mouth
- Hangover Headache
- Mild Nausea
Note that the severity may vary depending on factors like the potency of the THC product, method consumption, and the user’s tolerance level. On the other hand, here are the side effects or symptoms of greening out:
- Nausea with vomiting
- Dizziness
- Paranoia
- Rapid heart rate
- Sweating
Whether it’s greening out or a marijuana hangover, it can be an unpleasant experience, especially for those who are new to cannabis or have a low tolerance. Thus, it is essential always to consume cannabis responsibly and listen to your body. In case the symptoms get worse, seek medical attention promptly.
How To Avoid Greening Out At Home?
Once you find yourself experiencing green out, here are the things that you can do:
- Lie Down In A Comfortable Spot – Rest in a quiet room, especially if you feel anxious or nauseous. Then, lie down on your side. Greening out is only temporary and may pass after a few hours.
- Take Deep Breaths – Deep breathing may help relax you. Take a deep breath through your nose. Count up to 4, then exhale through your mouth. Keep on doing it until you feel calm.
- Sugar Foods – Low blood sugar can make greening out even worse. So consume some sweet snacks, fruit juices, or even soda.
- Hydrate – Keep drinking lots of water to ease the green-out symptoms. However, take it a few sips at a time. You can drink a couple of glasses of water without nausea.
How long does greening out usually last? In most cases, the symptoms can last for 30 minutes to hours. There’s no standard time since each body system responds differently. In worst cases, the user may experience feeling a little groggy 1 to 2 days after the onset of green out.
How to Sober Up from Weed Fast?
Are you looking for ways how to sober up from weed fast? There are some detox products that you can use. However, a disclaimer may not guarantee fast results. Its effects depend on your frequency of use. Generally, heavy users need more time to detox and eliminate drug remnants in the body. Here are some detox products that you can use.
Detoxify Mega Clean
Mega Clean is a detox drink that offers almost instant detoxification. It’s a good product but may only work for light to moderate users. It may not give immediate results if you have a high level of toxin exposure or use it with other detox products. In addition, make sure that you buy it from legitimate retailers or the manufacturer itself. You can also purchase drug test kits to check for yourself at home.
Mega clean only masks the weed components in the body and doesn’t completely detoxify. It will flush a big volume of liquid, make you urinate more, and push toxins out of the body. In addition, it also contains ingredients that draw toxins out of the body faster.
Toxin Rid
It is a detox product in the form of a pill. It comes with a variety of programs for different forms of THC exposure. This product may help if you want to follow the best way how to recover from edibles, wax, and vaping. There are different plans, and you can choose from 1, 3, 5, or 7-day plans depending on what you need.
Regardless of the plan, Toxin Rid contains natural ingredients like lemon and cranberry juice. It has no chemicals, animal additives, or fillers for the best results. In addition, the brand claims only to use herbs, vitamins, and minerals.
Home Remedies On How To Reduce The Duration Of Weed Hangover
How to come down from a high? Here are some tips to help you reduce the duration of a weed hangover. These are home remedies that cost little. Besides, it’s widely accessible for most homes.
- Hydration – Drink lots of water and keep your body hydrated. Weed hangovers can cause dry mouth, so replenish it with fluids to ease the symptom.
- Proper Nutrition – Eat a balanced diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid heavy and greasy foods for the time being to prevent exacerbating lethargic feelings.
- Exercise – Physical activities like walking, stretching, and yoga can ease some symptoms. Exercising improves blood circulation. However, ensure you do it when you’re not nauseous or without headaches.
- Rest – Get enough uninterrupted sleep to help your body recover fully. Resting is essential to allow your body to return to its balanced state.
- Drink Green Tea – Green tea may help you feel more alert and less groggy.
- Citrus Fruits – Vitamin C may help boost energy levels while providing a refreshing feeling.
- Avoid Caffeine & Stimulants – Coffee and energy drinks may combat fatigue but also increase anxiety or worsen symptoms.
- Showers – A refreshing cold shower may help wake up your body and senses.
- Be Patient – Give your body time to heal and recover naturally. Don’t overthink because weed hangovers are only temporary.
Can Smoking Too Much Weed Make You Sick?
As they say, anything too much can be harmful – and cannabis has no exemption. Too much weed may have adverse reactions even if it has medicinal and recreational purposes.
Excessive marijuana consumption may lead to cannabis use disorder and psychological impact and pose other health risks. Always consume cannabis in moderation to reduce potential adverse health effects risks. In addition, know your limits and always choose safer consumption methods.
Conclusion
Weed hangovers, although that is a medical term, may cause adverse effects on the body. It goes away within 30 minutes to hours, depending on your consumption. Once you start feeling its symptoms, there are home remedies that you can do at home to ease its negative impact. If it gets worse, seek medical help right away.
When consuming weed, always start slow. Consume small amounts, and increase gradually until you find the perfect spot that gives you that known sensational high from THC. More importantly, know the limits of your body. Recreational or medicinal drugs are good but should always be in moderation.
Susan Landy
Susan Landy is a highly accomplished Administrative Assistant and Editor at Voices For Change, where she demonstrates her expertise in managing and editing content that drives positive societal transformation. With a rich background in advocating for independent living and coordinating vital programs, she previously served as the State Independent Living Coordinator at the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and as an IL/VR Program Coordinator at the Boston Center for Independent Living. Susan's commitment to empowering individuals and amplifying diverse voices has been evident throughout her career. She holds a B.A. in English from Reed College and an M.A. in English from the University of Washington.